Senate passes bill including PFOS and PFOA provisions

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Following similar action in the House of Representatives, the Senate passed its annual National Defense Authorization Act, authorizing funding for a range of programs. Included in the Senate package is an amendment from Senators Pat Toomey (R) and Bob Casey (D) of Pennsylvania that authorizes the Centers for Disease Control to study the impacts of exposure to PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate) and PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid).

Earlier this year, the House passed language in its NDAA bill that would authorize study of health impacts of PFOS and PFOA, and included authorization of funding for cleanup.

The House and Senate now move on to conference separate versions of the NDAA legislation, but the real challenge will be appropriating the funds for the programs contained in this $700 million authorization bill.

Groundwater contamination from PFOS and PFOA continues to draw important attention from Congress. Passage of this legislation will help study the impacts of PFOS/PFOA exposure. NGWA’s forthcoming guidance document on PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) will serve as an important resource.